Page 57 of The Champion

“If you’re not, I shall send Val after you...with his sword drawn.”

Stryder shook his head as he offered Rowena his arm.

“I want a full yard between you two. Leave room for the Holy Spirit.”

Stryder ignored him. “Mayhap I should hire him out as a nurse.”

“Mmmm, he might prove a most good one. My own nurse is seldom so censoring.”

Stryder’s features lightened.

“I’m not an old woman,” Swan called after them. “And I know well how long it takes to walk to the castle and back. If you haven’t returned, I shall make sure you are fetched.”

“Is he always so protective?” Rowena asked.

“Nay. In fact, I find him ever absent whenever women are after me.”

“Then, he doesn’t like me.”

“Not you, personally. Rather he doesn’t like the prospect of our forced marriage. He lives in fear of being penned down anywhere.”

She tsked. “I would think all men yearn for a home.”

“Some, perhaps, but not us. We spent three years locked away. It’s hard for us to be indoors now. ‘Tis why I prefer my tent when I could easily request quarters in the castle. Like Swan, I don’t care for stone walls around me.”

Her heart broke at those words. While she oft felt trapped, it was just an illusion. She couldn’t imagine the terror of being held prisoner, with no say in her life. “It must have been horrible.”

Stryder grew quiet.

By his face she could tell he was reliving the past and she wanted to make him laugh again. Rowena tried to think of something witty to say, but could think of nothing.

So, she did something she hadn’t done in years. She reached over and tickled him.

Stryder jumped as Rowena ran her hand over his ribs.

“Are you not ticklish?”

Before he could answer, she assaulted him. He laughed in spite of himself. “Have you lost your mind?” He dodged away from her.

“Most likely. But I could think of no other way to amuse you.”

Completely bemused by her, Stryder shook his head. “Do you often reach out and tickle people?”

“Honestly? I haven’t done such since I was a girl. But then, I haven’t felt the urge since then either.”

“In the future, I would appreciate your ignoring said urges.”

She responded by tickling him even more.

Stryder quickly retaliated against her. She squealed, running away from him.

“Ho, nay!” he said, running after her. “You don’t start this and then flee, my lady.”

“Only a true knave would tickle a lady.”

“And you have called me far worse.”

“Not you personally.” She dodged around the rushlight.